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Launching digital products can be as easy as uploading an eBook to Kindle. However, there are almost always legal issues that can pop up, no matter what you create. From online courses to subscriptions, protecting IP and data privacy are some of the legal safety nets you can use.
Retain Copies of Contracts and Releases
Contracts and release data are vital for avoiding legal problems when crafting digital products. When these are lost, a case that is brought against you can be stronger, and retaining them can help you win should litigation begin. Fortunately, you can use legal hold software that helps preserve electronic records and keeps them in their original state. Software can also help with legal discovery, set reminders for releases, and track the status of multiple legal holds.
Protect Your Intellectual Property
Intellectual property (IP) is anything you create, and you can save yourself a world of trouble by protecting it. A simple copyright notice can be enough to protect IP and, in most cases, will set a legal precedent. However, IP disputes can get muddy, and copyright notices aren’t always enough. You can further protect digital creations such as photographs and videos, or eBooks, with digital watermarks that can’t be removed, even by registering a trademark of ownership.
Apply T&Cs when Launching Digital Products
Around 2.7 million eBooks are published on Amazon Kindle each year, making them one of the most popular and most prolific digital products. eBooks are usually the starting point of digital products, but they aren’t the only route to break into business as a modern creative professional using the web. But no matter what you decide, terms and conditions can help with legal issues. License usage, refund policies, and prohibited actions such as resale are examples of T&Cs.
Comply with Privacy and Data Laws
Data and privacy laws are in place for good reasons, as they protect you and users of any digital products you create, including a blog. For example, you will need to place a GDPR or CCPA compliance notice on a website, as this outlines how cookies are used. Cookies can provide a better user experience, but they must track data. Users are legally allowed to choose whether they wish to be tracked or not, especially if their personal data is stored elsewhere.
Check the Use of Third-Party Content
Just like you can protect your IP, so too can other content creators. If you use anything for making a unique product, including images, videos, and chunks of text, always ensure you obtain permission for doing so. Using the works of others inside your own can open you up to troubling legal disputes, where you will likely incur costs and legal proceedings. Fair use claims can only get you so far, but many stock image and video sites allow usage with relevant credit.
Summary
Retaining copies of contracts and releases will help you avoid some of the worst legal issues when launching digital products. A clear set of terms and conditions will also help users understand how content can be used, and always check the use of third-party content.
